“Hey, want to grab a bite to eat tomorrow night?” These words often send me into spirals of dread during times of financial hardship. There have been times when even spending $3 to get ice cream with friends caused a well of anxiety ...

You wonder why you even bother building a budget. Because every month—without fail—something breaks or the electric bill runs high or a forgotten bill comes in the mail. You’d almost find it funny if it wasn’t so frustrating. ...

You pinch every penny. It feels like you’re even pinching half pennies. Before payday, you think of all the extra money you’ll finally have to pay off bills and invest in your savings account. But it seems like the ...

You pull into the driveway, turn off the engine, and sit there—frozen. You don’t want to move. You dread opening the mailbox to see more bills. You hate the thought of going inside and seeing your leaky fridge you can’t afford to fix. You don’t ...

Notice: Your Account Has Been Overdrawn. When you opened your email, these were the words you were dreading you’d see. And there they are, right in front of you. Your chest tightening, you will yourself ...

You remember the days when things were simpler. And cheaper. When you were a kid, you were content to play with a hula-hoop and silly putty. Now kids can’t seem to live without expensive video games, iPads, and smartphones. You used to be able to go ...

Christmas used to feel magical. You remember the thrill of waking up on Christmas morning as a kid. The magic of tinsel and lights on your neighbors’ houses. The simple joy of baking cookies. The warmth of gathering with family and friends. Now Christmas fills you with dread. ...